Systems and Methods for Providing User Profile Information in Conjunction with an Enhanced Caller Information System

ABSTRACT

An enhanced caller-id service providing multi-media based caller information to subscribers via a server system. The server system can combine user-provided profile information with other data to provide more detailed reports for the subscriber. The server can also be used to maintain long-term calling records for subscribers. The caller information can be accessed remotely by the subscriber and can be downloaded from the server to another computer for use with other applications.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/964,390 filed Sep. 28, 2001, the contents of which are incorporatedherein in their entirety.

The present application is related to co-pending commonly ownedapplication of Larry D. Woodring, entitled “Systems and Methods forRecording and Providing Enhanced Caller Information in an AdvancedIntelligent Network”, U.S. application Ser. No. 09/964,392, and which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to telecommunications systems,and more particularly, the present invention relates to calleridentification systems.

2. Background of the Invention

“Caller-id” services such as calling number delivery (CND) and callingname delivery (CNAM) are well-known services implemented in AdvancedIntelligent Networks (“AIN”). The implementation and operation of CNDsystems are described in Bellcore Specification TR-NWT-000031, CallingNumber Delivery which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. CNAM systems are described in Bellcore SpecificationTR-NWT-001188, Calling Name Delivery Generic Requirements, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Caller-id services operate by providing a signal to a caller-id displaydevice attached to a subscriber's telephone line. The device interpretsthe signal and displays or stores the information for future display tothe subscriber. Conventional caller-id services are not available whenthe subscriber is away from the home or office. That is, subscriberstypically cannot access the information stored by the caller-id devicewithout being physically present to operate the device. Another problemwith conventional caller-id services is the limited amount ofinformation provided to subscribers. Caller-id devices and publicswitched telephone network (PSTN) systems that provide conventionalcaller-id services typically support only text messages. Moreover, thetext messages are typically limited to fifteen text-based characters.Caller-id devices typically have only a limited amount of memory so asto make them inadequate for long-term record-keeping purposes.

Some in the art have sought to overcome some of these problems bydesigning computer-based software and hardware systems which areconnected to the subscriber's telephone line. When an incoming call isreceived, the signal destined for the caller-id device is interceptedand the information can be input into a database to make a log of allinbound calls. These systems have been known to fail and result in thesubscriber's telephone being tied up until the subscriber is made awareof the problem. Also, such end-user solutions do not take full advantageof multimedia resources available via modem communications networks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods forproviding user profile information in conjunction with an enhancedcaller information system. The methods include provisioning a trigger ona subscriber's telephone line at a service switching point (SSP) andreceiving a call from a caller to the subscriber's SSP. In response tothe trigger, the SSP sends a query to a service control point (SCP).Upon receiving the query, the SCP sends an information message to aserver for delivery to the subscriber upon request. The informationmessage may include, for example, calling number, calling name, caller'saddress, caller's location (for mobile callers), calling date, callingtime, call length, call ending time, and the like. The information onthe server can be cross-referenced with other useful information such asa map of the caller's address or location.

Systems embodying the present invention may include a triggerprovisioned on a subscriber's telephone line at the subscriber's SSP.When the SSP receives a call for the subscriber, the call hits thetrigger, causing the SSP to send a query to an SCP. The query includescalling party number information and called party number information.The SCP responds to the query in the usual manner (e.g., by providingcalling name information, if available), and additionally, the SCP sendsan information message to a server. The server stores the informationreceived from the SCP and, upon request, provides the subscriber withenhanced caller-id information. The server may also be used to maintainlong-term logs recording the subscriber's caller activity. Additionally,the subscriber may download caller information for use with otherapplications.

Embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented forwireless subscribers and/or wireless callers. Further, embodiments mayinclude servers adapted for access via the worldwide web or othercommonly used applications accessible via communications networks, suchas for example, the Internet. In another embodiment the server may beadapted to provide information to the subscriber via a wireless device.In another embodiment a subscriber may access the server via a telephonecall and receive calling information via voice message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention allow users to submit profileinformation providing enhanced caller information that may be accessedby others during or after a telephone call. Embodiments of the presentinvention utilize AIN systems and data network servers to provide aserver-based enhanced caller information service. The service enablessubscribers to receive selected profile information in addition tostandard calling number and calling name records for incoming calls.Examples of user profile information may include photos, links topersonal web sites, images of business cards, or other multi-mediacontent. By receiving such user profile information together with calleridentification information, subscribers may be provided with a fullrange of detailed information and graphical images related to thecalling party.

In embodiments of the present invention the server comprises a callerinformation application adapted or programmed to receive informationfrom users and to provide the information to subscribers of the servicein conjunction with caller information services. In exemplaryembodiments of the present invention the server may be a web-serverallowing subscribers to monitor their telephone records from anylocation from which access to the server is available. In otherexemplary embodiments, the server may comprise, for example a mailserver or a file transfer server, accessed by subscribers and users viaclient application programs installed on their local computer systems.

As used herein, the terms “caller” and “user” are both used to refer toa person, company, organization or other entity that provides userprofile information to be presented to a subscriber in conjunction withenhanced caller information according to the present invention. As usedherein, “subscriber” refers to a person, company, organization, or otherentity that receives user profile information in conjunction withenhanced caller information according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment caller 10 uses computer 15 tologin to server 40 to provide or update user profile information. Forexample, user 10 may provide her photograph and photographs of her homeand children. User 10 may opt to include other personal information,including, for example, a favorite quote, biographical information, anditinerary data for a planned trip. In another example, user 10 mayincuse directions to his or her home of other detailed information. Inyet another example, user 10 may provide an image of a business card orother identifying information. If, for example, user 10 is a business orother such entity, profile information may include a link to thecompany's web site, advertising information, pictures of products, orother multi-media advertising information, pictures of products, orother multi-media advertising information.

Caller 10 may setup his or her user profile to provide enhanced callerinformation to one or more called parties. That is, for example, theuser profile may include one or more lists of full access called parties(identified, e.g., by a party's directory number (DN), one or more listsof partial access called parties, and one or more lists of blockedaccess called parties. User 10 may include a default access level suchthat any called numbers not on any higher-level list will receive onlythe default information which may comprise no information. For example,whenever caller 10 calls a party (i.e., dials the party's DN) on a fullaccess list, the called party receives or may access all of user 10'sprofile information. In contrast when caller 10 calls a party on adifferent access list, the called party will only receive or access thatmaterial specifically allowed by user 10. Caller 10 may implement suchmulti-levels of access to control how much information is provided tocalled parties. This may be useful, for example, if user 10 includeshighly personal information in his or her profile.

Operation of an Exemplary Embodiment

When caller 10 uses telephone 11 to place a call to subscriber 20,caller-id device 23 may receive the calling name and/or calling numberinformation as it would in conventional caller-id services. However, inaddition to sending the information to caller-id device 23, AIN 30 alsosends the information to server 40.

Server 40 may be accessible from any computers used by user 10 orsubscriber 20, such as, for example, computer 15 (located at user 10'spremises) or computer 24 (located at subscriber 20's premises). As shownin FIG. 1, server 40 may be directly accessible by computers 15 and 24,or may be accessible via network 50. Network 50 may be any datacommunications network, such as, for example the well-known Internet.Additionally, user 10 or subscriber 20 may use some other computer 60 orwireless device 26 to provide or obtain the caller information vianetwork 50, or direct access if server 40 is so configured.

Server 40 may optionally include access control systems to maintain theusers' and subscribers' privacy. For example, server 40 may beprogrammed to verify user 10's identity and authorization prior toallowing the user profile information to be updated. Similarly, server40 may be programmed to prompt subscriber 20 for a valid username andpassword or other security tokens before providing any information aboutcallers to the subscriber's telephone line.

FIG. 1 shows caller 10 having wireline 12 connected to service switchingpoint (SSP) 32. However, as would be apparent to those skilled in theart, caller 10 could be calling from any telephony device, including,for example, a wireless telephone, a wireless interactive pager, anInternet calling device, and the like. When the call reaches subscriber20's central office, SSP 31, it encounters trigger 31 a provisioned onsubscriber 20's wire line 22. As a result, SSP 31 issues a query toservice control point (SCP) 33 via signaling network 34. As known in theart, the trigger may be a termination attempt trigger (TAT) or someother suitable trigger for initiating a query to SCP 33. Also as know inthe art, signaling network 34 may be the well-known common channelsignaling system number 7 (CC-SS7 or SS7) or some other signalingnetwork. In response to the query, SCP 33 consults database 35 to locatethe caller's calling name information.

SCP 33 provides the calling name information to SSP 31, which in turnprovides the information to caller-id device 23. As known in the art,the calling name and number could be marked as private by the caller inwhich case the caller-id information provided to device 23 is“unavailable”. Further, as known in the art, the calling name may beindeterminate, in which case device 23 displays “unknown” for thecalling name but may display the calling number. SCP 33 provides theinformation including, at least, the called party number and the callingnumber (if available) to server 40 to store in database 45 for access bysubscriber 20.

Server 40 may combine information received from SCP 33 and the userprofile information received from user 10 with other information toenhance the caller-id service. For example, server 40 may provideadditional geographical information such as the postal zip code of thecaller or the caller's county, state, or country. Such information maybe compiled and stored in database 45 and cross-referenced with thecalling number and calling name information as needed. Similarly, server40 may rearrange the information according to the subscriber's displaypreferences. For example, server 40 may provide a sort option to displayinformation according to the date/time of the calls, by calling partynumber, by calling name, by geographic location, by area code, or othercriteria.

Server 40 may also provide detailed reports to subscriber 30 and presentinformation in many formats. For example, a report may be provided tosummarize the prior month's calls. Another report may provide abreakdown of calls, for example, by time of day, by calling number, orother criteria.

In another embodiment of the present invention, SCP 33 may providefollow-up information regarding incoming calls. For example, after acall has ended, SCP 33 may send a message to server 40 indicating thelength of the call. SCP 33 may also provide detailed information such asthe circuit and trunk id for the call. In an exemplary configuration ofthis embodiment, SCP 33 may respond to SSP 31's query in the usualmanner and also issues a Monitor-for-Change query, or other suitableinstruction, to SSP 31. In response to the instruction SSP 31 monitorssubscriber line 22 for a change in status (such as the line becomingidle after a call has ended). When SSP 31 detects the change in statusit reports the event to SCP 33. SCP33 may use this information, inconjunction with the original query to compute a call duration. The callduration may then be included in an information message sent from SCP 33to server 40.

In an alternative embodiment, the server may include test-to-speechfunctionality allowing the subscriber to retrieve suitable portions ofthe caller information using any telephone device. FIG. 2 is a schematicdiagram showing an exemplary configuration for this embodiment. Likenumbered elements in FIG. 2 perform substantially the same functions aredescribed above. Server 47 allows subscriber 20 to check for incomingcalls placed to his or her telephone line 22. Using any telephone, suchas, for example, telephone 51 or mobile telephone 52, subscriber 20 cancall server 47 to hear a summary of inbound calls placed to wireline 22.This embodiment may incorporate an interactive voice response systemproviding a menu of options available to subscribers. Further, as shownin FIG. 2, subscriber 20 may still access the full-enhanced callerinformation using, for example, computer 24.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing another exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. This embodiment includes many of the sameelements as shown in FIG. 1 and 2. However, instead of the subscriberhaving a separate caller-id device and a wireline, in this embodiment,the subscriber has a wireless telephone 25 with integrated caller-idservices. As shown in FIG. 3, when caller 10 places a call to wirelesstelephone 25, it eventually reaches mobile switching center (MSC) 70 fordelivery to wireless telephone 25 via wireless connection 71. Just aswith wireline systems, trigger 70 a on the subscriber's “line” may beprovisioned at MSC 70. MSC 70 issues a query to SCP 33 via signalingnetwork 34 in response to the trigger. Accordingly, when the incomingcall reaches MSC 70, it sends a query to SCP 33. As described above, SCP33 responds to the query as it normally would, but also sends caller-idinformation (for example, called party number, calling name and callingnumber) to server 40. The information sent by SCP 33 to server 40 inthis embodiment may include any of the information already describedabove.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the presentinvention. In this embodiment, the caller uses wireless telephone 13 andwireless connection 14 to call subscriber 20 via MSC 73. In thisembodiment, MSC 73 is programmed to include the caller's geographiclocation information in a field of the initial address message (IAM)used to setup the call with SSP 31. This call encounters trigger 31 a onsubscriber 20's line 22 causing SSP 31 to issue a query to SCP 33. SSP31 includes the location information in the query message for processingby SCP 33. Such information could be based on the cell-site from whichthe caller is calling or if emergency 911 services are implemented, amore precise location could be provided. SCP 33 includes the caller-idinformation (i.e., calling number, calling name, and the physicallocation of the caller) in the message sent to server 40.

In addition to providing detailed multi-media information to subscribersand near real-time views of incoming call information, the presentinvention provides a permanent or long-term log of all incoming callinformation in a database stored by the service provider. As describedabove, a subscriber may download this log onto a computer for historicalor other uses. For example, a subscriber could use to the information tobill callers for the time spent on the telephone. Additionally, thecaller information and historical log information could be integratedwith other applications on the subscriber's computer, for example,address books, time-keeping logs, and the like. The information capturedmay be used in conjunction with existing web information services tocreate complete entries in address books such as those associated withemail applications. Moreover, the information may be used to performvarious business analyses such as geographic and demographic analysis ofcallers.

Servers used in embodiments of the present invention may include, e.g.,web servers, email servers, file transfer protocol servers (FTP), andthe like. Users and subscribers may use any suitable client or serverapplication to access and receive data from the server.

The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations andmodifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. Thescope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appendedhereto, and by their equivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments of the presentinvention the specification may have presented the method and/or processof the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, tothe extent that the method or process does not rely on the particularorder of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not belimited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps maybe possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth inthe specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims.In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of thepresent invention should not be limited to the performance of theirsteps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readilyappreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within thespirit and scope of the present invention

1. A method for providing enhanced caller information to a subscriber,the method comprising: receiving a plurality of user profileinformation, the user profile information comprising at least a calledparty directory number; receiving a call from a caller to a directorynumber associated with the subscriber; and providing the enhanced callerinformation to the subscriber based on the directory number associatedwith the subscriber, the enhanced caller information based at least inpart on the user profile information.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe user profile information further comprises a multi-media document.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profile information furthercomprises a graphical file.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the userprofile information further comprises a caller address.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the user profile information further comprises a mapshowing the caller address.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the userprofile information further comprises at least one of a link to a website, advertising information and pictures of products.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the called directory number of the user profileinformation is associated with one of a full access list, a partialaccess list, or a blocked access list, and wherein providing theenhanced caller information to the subscriber based on the directorynumber associated with the subscriber further comprises: determiningwhether the directory number associated with the subscriber matches thecalled party directory number of the user profile information; and ifthe directory number matches the called party directory number, thenproviding an amount of the enhanced caller information based on whetherthe called directory number is associated with the full access list, thepartial access list, or the blocked access list.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein the message further comprises a caller location.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the caller location represents the locationof a wireless caller.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the enhancedcaller information comprises a map showing the caller location.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising receiving a username and apassword before providing the enhanced caller information to thesubscriber.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the user profileinformation comprises an access rights list.
 13. A system for providingenhanced caller information, the system comprising: means for receivinga call from a caller to a directory number associated with a subscriber;means for receiving calling information associated with the caller;means for providing the calling information to a server; and the serverfor: receiving a plurality of user profile information, wherein the userprofile information comprises at least a called directory number;receiving the calling information from the means for providing thecalling information; and providing the enhanced caller information tothe subscriber based on the directory number associated with thesubscriber, the enhanced caller information based at least in part onthe user profile information.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein theserver further provides a calling name, a calling date, a calling timeand a call stop time to the subscriber.
 15. The system of claim 13,wherein the server further provides a caller address to the subscriber.16. The system of claim 15, wherein the server further provides a mapshowing the caller's address to the subscriber.
 17. The system of claim13, wherein the server further provides a caller location to thesubscriber.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the server furtherprovides a map showing the caller's address to the subscriber.
 19. Acomputer program product for providing enhanced caller information to asubscriber, the computer program product including instructions forperforming: receiving a plurality of user profile information, the userprofile information comprising at least a called party directory number;receiving a call from a caller to a directory number associated with thesubscriber; and providing the enhanced caller information to thesubscriber based on the directory number associated with the subscriber,the enhanced caller information based at least in part on the userprofile information.